Foodtweeks is a free mobile app available for iOS and Android that strives to manage nutrition for people in the US while at the same time providing much-needed resources to local food banks across the country. It not only helps American consumers choose better food options at home but it also guides Americans’ choices when they are going to their favorite restaurants. The app achieves this by reallocating users’ saved calories. For example, every time someone takes action (tweak) to cut calories, foodtweeks donates the equivalent amount of food to the user’s local food bank. This way, consumers enjoy the food they want to eat and the calories saved become a nutritious portion to feed hungry individuals or families. The app also offers a unique way to educate families to adopt healthier eating habits, helping to address obesity in children and adults.
Recently, foodtweeks announced a partnership established with the National Restaurant Association‘s Kids LiveWell program. This program was launched in cooperation with Healthy Dining and aims to highlight restaurants that are committed to offering healthy menus for children.
In order to join the program, restaurants need to offer available qualified menus that follow specific nutrition criteria established by an accredited health organization. With this project, both NRA and foodtweeks aspire to increase fruit, vegetables, whole grain, lean protein and low-fat dairy intake and reduce the consumption of sodium, complex sugars and fat. By using the foodtweeks mobile app, parents can automatically gain access to healthier menu options approved by a registered dietitian for their kids and themselves while dining at participating KidsLiveWell restaurants.
By cooperating on this project, NRA and foodtweeks are striving to provide healthier input in family dining experiences while supporting food banks.
The NRA was founded in 1919 and is the largest food services trade association for the restaurant industry in the US. The association includes a total of 1 million restaurants and 14 million employees in the restaurant industry. The NRA represents the industry in Washington, D.C. and advocates on its behalf. Besides the KidsLiveWell program, the restaurant industry can participate in initiatives such as the NRA Show (taking place May 21-24, 2016 in Chicago) as well as food safety trainings and certifications and a career building high school program.
